Donna Reed
(www.donnareedshow.com)
I’ve seen The Donna Reed Show a few times, and I will admit, I started writing with the intention of ranting about it and how negatively it affected young women and housewives during the early 60’s. She cooked, cleaned, and smiled through every episode, causing men to expect their women to take it as the norm, and causing women to accept it as so. These years were the years when women’s liberation movements were beginning, and women were in dire need of positive role models, and Donna Reed was falling short.
After a bit of research though, to my surprise, Donna Reed actually fit into the positive role model category perfectly. According to biography.com, after The Donna Reed Show ended, Reed publicly denounced the show and the role she played. She became an eager feminist, anti-war advocate, and divorcee (which was quite uncommon at the time).
So, this is my shout-out to Donna Reed for changing with the times, and smiling the whole way.
I think you can be a positive role model by being happy at what it is you do. I don’t think you have to be in a defined relationship to be happy. If the relationship works, and you are treated well and respected for each part you contribute then you will be successful. I don’t see how divorce could be positive. If you are not comfortable in your relationship at the begining then you don’t need to be married. If the relationship gets worse and you can’t talk it out then you don’t need to be married. In my opinion communication is what is wrong with marriages today not the roles we play. Communication is about being respected, and understanding where the other person’s heart lies.
-magnum
magnum45
September 15, 2008 at 5:24 am
Magnum, I can completely understand what you are saying, although I’m a bit confused as to how it correlates to what I was saying. I never said divorce was positive. I actually never even discussed divorce or relationships.
paralinguistics
September 17, 2008 at 2:26 am